Cavender Is Coming

I am searchincg for information on the high society dress that Carol Burnett wore during this episode. I am searching for a color photo of the dress and any designer information that maybe available. Thank you in advance.

This is a wonderful story of a young woman who is trying to create her own life in a large city. The plot focuses on how Carol Burnett's character learns about the priorities of her life. The first scene is in a movie theater, and Carol plays a girl who is doing her best (but fails) in a job where the requirements are ridiculous and the uniform is even more absurd. Carol even has a chance to show her slapstick skills. The lesson learned by the main character is that friendship is a joy that is a deep & basic part of humanity, and in no way depends on class, as defined by financial advantages. The writer is noted as Rod Serling himself, however, I wonder if Carol Burnett had a hand in writing it, and even creating the silly costume, because the whole concept is rather close to her variety show.

Not sure why the previous viewer didn't like this, but I found it both funny and charming, and well performed by both Carol Burnette and Jesse White. If you were expecting a creepy or scary TZ episode, this would definitely stick in your craw, but as a comedy from a writer normally not associated with the genre, it seems quite skillful.

Jesse White, forever associated with the Maytag Repairman role, is a kind of angel who's not quite certain how to be angelic. He's read the books but never walked the walk, and his attempts to redeem Carol Burnette's life don't quite make her as happy as he thinks she ought to be. Burnette is consistently excellent in this episode.

A good atypical episode from this series, from the same direction (the worth of conscience) but employing different means. Watch it and judge for yourself.

Remember that old comedy show where the hapless angel would help a different oddball in distress every week? Thank God you don't. I'm only glad this intended pilot show never left the runway. I don't know anything about eschatology but the idea of a heaven where Howard Smith, the 'push push push' guy from 'A Stop At Willoughby' is a senior angel with ropey wings is enough to make me prefer any other fate the Zone depicted.

Happily almost no one remembers this terrible idea where by Rod Serling no less would have moved into Mr Ed type territory of lame television. There is no genuine attempt at comedy even though Carol Burnett as Cavender's first help recipient almost manages to make it feel like comedy.

I know you can't please everyone, nor should you try. That said, I'm surprised by the depth of loathing by some reviews of this episode. I grew up on twilight zone. The Carroll Burnett show was a staple in our weekly fair as well.

Back when this show aired, Carroll was a young, budding comedian. All these shows were competing for the same audiences in a small market compared to today. There were only 3 channels available. Likewise, the actors and writers all knew each other and often worked in the same complex of buildings. In context of the era, this show makes complete sense to me. It was a breath of fresh air to see the Zone not take itself so seriously, and as a result, strengthened my appreciation for the show. Puzzlement aside, this is a brilliant episode from this time period in television history. As said in other reviews, this episode is a tip of the hat to "It's a wonderful life", and is a cleaver tribute to it at that.

I suppose your attitude toward certain episodes depends on how much of a purist you are, how much humor you have towards yourself, and how old you are. I don't know anyone my age who dislikes this episode with the venom I see here.

As far as likes and dislikes. I am under the impression those buttons are a poll as to how helpful a review is to me personally. If I find a critical review that I feel is way off the mark, I tend to mark it unhelpful. For my purposes, a review that misses the point IS unhelpful to me. If a criticism of a show is warranted, then it is helpful to me and i mark it as such. Getting bent out of shape over how your review polls may have a lot to do with why you may find this particular episode so distasteful. (wicked grin)